ENGLAND Captain Andrew Strauss will play as a guest for Somerset when they entertain India in a three day match at the County Ground, starting on Friday July 15.

The surprise announcement was made at the start of this week after an agreement between the ECB and the Cidermen to enable Strauss to get some much-needed batting practice in a first class match before the start of the Test series between England and India.

Hugh Morris, the ECB managing director for England Cricket said: "We are very grateful to Somerset's director of cricket Brian Rose and Middlesex's managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser, for their co-operation in this matter.”

Strauss said: "We saw that Somerset had a tour match against India and we decided to approach them and see if they would be willing for me to play.

“It helps my preparation for the npower Test series and hopefully it will help Somerset and ultimately England's preparations for the Test series as well.”

Meanwhile Craig Kieswetter has been selected by England for the Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Saturday and also the five match ODI series that starts on June 28.

Kieswetter said: “To be selected for the England one day squad is massively encouraging for me and I am really chuffed to be back in the frame.

“I am looking forward massively to testing myself against some of the best players in the world.

“My selection means that all of the hard work that I have put in during the winter and this season has been rewarded.”

He added: “I am looking forward hugely to putting on an England shirt again, because it’s a massive honour and it will just fantastic, whatever ground we are playing on.”